Bears Bites: Ditka Says Manning is the Greatest Player Ever

Also, which impending free agents are the Bears most likely to keep?

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In Wednesday’s edition of Bears Bites, we take a look at the struggles of the Chicago Bears’ defensive line, and whether or not they can be rectified. We also look at the interesting way that DT Christian Tupou stayed in shape until the Bears brought him back into the fold.

- We start today by checking in with our friend Maggie Hendricks. This week, Mike Ditka made a splash by saying that Peyton Manning is the greatest player he’s ever seen, but Maggie reminds us that Ditka once made the same proclamation about Walter Payton. Who do you take in the Payton vs. Peyton debate? [USA Today]

- The Jon Bostic era at middle linebacker didn’t seem like it was going to get going this season, but with DJ Williams’ season ending pectoral injury, it’s starting sooner than most Bears fans would have guessed. [Bears Huddle]

- With the losses of Henry Melton and Nate Collins on the Bears’ defensive line, the difficulties that the group is having in getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks aren’t going to get better any time soon. [Daily Herald]

- John Mullin has similar thoughts to that Daily Herald piece, but his opening paragraph is solid enough to warrant its own mention: [CSN Chicago]

“Maybe the Bears’ 2013 pass rush is just the weather: Everybody talks about it but can’t really do much about it.”

- If he can get back on the field for Sunday’s game with the Washington Redskins, defensive tackle Stephen Paea is looking forward to joining Corey Wootton in the middle of the line. [Chicago Tribune]

- Christian Tupou had an interesting training regimen to stay in shape while he waited for an NFL gig: he played rugby with his friends at a park in California. [Chicago Sun-Times]

- Michael C. Wright ranks the Bears in the 10th spot in his NFL power rankings. [ESPN Chicago]

- Finally, which impending free agents on the Bears’ roster will be retained by the team? Adam Hoge weighs in for his weekly “Tweetbag” column. [670 the Score]